Savills welcomes launch of Scotland’s Agritourism Investment Scheme as timely catalyst for rural diversification
Savills has welcomed the launch of the Scottish government’s new £1m Agritourism Investment Scheme (AIS), describing it as a well‑timed opportunity for farms, estates and rural businesses to strengthen their visitor offer and take advantage of growing demand for authentic, land‑based experiences.
Announced at the Scottish Agritourism Conference in late 2025 and officially opened for applications on 19 January 2026, AIS offers grants of up to £50,000 and supports up to 40% of eligible capital costs for small, targeted improvements that enhance visitor readiness or expand rural tourism activity.
While modest in size, the scheme has been positioned by Savills as an important strategic signal for the sector.
Hamish Logan, Savills Food and Farming consultant, said: “At first glance, AIS may appear relatively small for a sector with such strong national ambition. But its importance lies far more in the direction of travel than in the size of the fund.
It shows a clear policy commitment to agritourism and Scotland’s food and drink sector, and gives rural businesses a low‑risk way to make targeted improvements – the kind of enhancements that can materially increase visitor satisfaction, dwell time and seasonal resilience.”
Interest in agritourism continues to build across Scotland, supported by rising demand for provenance-led experiences, outdoor activity, wellness tourism and locally produced food and drink. Many rural businesses are already exploring opportunities to diversify, though cost pressures and increasing regulation continue to affect development confidence.
Adam Davies, Savills Rural Tourism, Leisure and Events consultant commented: “Despite a challenging operating environment, demand indicators for agritourism remain very encouraging. Demand continues to grow, and many travellers are actively seeking out the types of nature‑connected, story‑rich experiences that Scotland does exceptionally well.
“AIS won’t remove the need for careful planning, but it can unlock the kind of incremental improvements that make a big difference to the visitor journey.”
Opportunity for focused, practical improvements
Savills expects AIS to be particularly effective for small‑scale interventions such as:
- upgrading arrival areas, access routes or parking
- creating modest tasting, processing or interpretation spaces
- enhancing storytelling around food, farming and landscape
- refining accommodation to meet demand for distinctive rural stays
- improving sustainability credentials or cutting long‑term operating costs
Hamish added: “We know from supporting clients across the UK that the most successful rural diversification begins with a very clear sense of audience, place and purpose. Savills is already working with clients across Scotland to assess their eligibility and strengthen AIS applications.
“AIS encourages exactly that: identifying what makes the setting unique, removing barriers in the visitor journey, and planning improvements that are financially realistic and aligned with genuine market demand.”
Savills emphasises that AIS should be viewed as a catalyst, not a comprehensive source of capital, but believes it marks an important stage in the evolution of Scotland’s rural visitor economy.
Adam concluded: “The scheme reinforces the value of agritourism within Scotland’s wider economic and cultural landscape. It is a welcome signal that farms, crofts and land‑based enterprises will play an increasingly central role in shaping the country’s tourism narrative and connecting visitors to the people, stories and landscapes behind Scotland’s food and farming sector. For many businesses, AIS is the right nudge at the right moment.”